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Abstract

Kleine-Levin syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by alternating periods of exceedingly prolonged sleep and disordered waking and normal sleep and alert waking. Wakeful periods during an episode are usually marked by social withdrawal and accompanied by a variety of maladaptive behaviors, including hallucinations, delusions, sexual disinhibition, severe anxiety, depression, memory impairment, and increased appetite. Due to the rarity and complexity of the disorder, Kleine-Levin can be easily misdiagnosed. This article reports the case of an 11-year-old male who was referred to an outpatient psychology clinic. The study may assist practitioners in more accurately diagnosing the disorder and describes a cognitive-behavioral intervention that may be useful in the management of Kleine-Levin syndrome.

Keywords

Kleine-Levin syndrome differential diagnosis cognitive-behavioral management intellectual deficiency.

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References

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Fahs, H. , Loiseau, M.N. , & Marcelli, D. (1998). Syndrome de Kleine-Levin et depression recurrente de courte duree. A propos d'un cas [Kleine-Levin syndrome and short, recurrent depression: A case study]. Neuropsychiatrie de l'enfance et de l'adolescence, 46, 69-74.

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National Organization of Rare Disorders. ( 1996, August 7). Kleine-Levin syndrome. Publication No. 1068.

The Diagnosis and Cognitive-Behavioral Management of Kleine-Levin Syndrome

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